A woman whose ceiling collapsed after a persistent leak is worried it could happen again as cracks have begun to show in the same place.

Cherokee Pickering, who lives at Caister House, in Roman Way, Islington, came home in December 2019 to discover that a ceiling in her property had caved in.

Cherokee said that the bucket that had been placed under the leak to catch water was completely crushed by the force of the collapse.

Islington Gazette: Ms Pickering's ceiling collapsed crushed a bucket that had been placed underneath the leakMs Pickering's ceiling collapsed crushed a bucket that had been placed underneath the leak (Image: Cherokee Pickering)

Since then, the damage has been repaired, but the leak that caused the original collapse has not been mended.

Ms Pickering, who has lived at Caister House since 2006, said: “Since I moved in, I’ve been having problems with a leak from the patio above me.

“The ceiling has come down a few times, and now its got signs of water marks at the moment, and cracks have appeared again.”

Islington Gazette: Water marks and cracks have appeared where the previous ceiling collapsed occurredWater marks and cracks have appeared where the previous ceiling collapsed occurred (Image: Cherokee Pickering)

Ms Pickering’s home is managed by Hyde Housing Association, who she claims have given her “no joy”.

She said: “They offered me a new place quite a few years ago, but when they fixed the ceiling and put the plasterboard back up and redecorated, they took back their offer.

“I’ve been on to different people, and it’s just really stressful to have had this ongoing problem for nearly 17 years.

“For a long time I’ve wanted to move, but I’ve just had no joy.”

Islington Gazette: The collapse left a gaping hole in Ms Pickering's ceiling The collapse left a gaping hole in Ms Pickering's ceiling (Image: Cherokee Pickering)

Ms Pickering does not currently have an offer from the housing association to move homes.

Mark Batchelor, Hyde’s director of property services, said: “I’d like to apologise to Ms Pickering for the issues she has experienced.

“Following a full inspection of her home in July 2021, a schedule of works was put together and completed in March 2022.

“However, since then Ms Pickering has advised us that there are further issues.

“We completed a further inspection and are working with our contractors on the repairs.

“The repairs identified are new issues and are not related to the previous works – we’re carrying out work relating to the communal walkway, and will include repairing brickwork, cracks and roofing near Ms Pickering’s home.”

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